Source: NFL.com
Pro Bowl quarterback Peyton Manning will need four to six weeks of recovery time after having a bursa sac removed from his left knee, the team revealed in a press release on Monday.
That timetable means he would miss at least the start of training camp. The Colts open camp on July 25 and break camp on Aug. 15. "The procedure was routine. The Colts' medical staff expects a full and complete return to action," said Colts president Bill Polian.
Source: The Sports Network
In his first interview since his intent to return to the Green Bay Packers became public knowledge, Brett Favre admitted that he pulled the trigger on retirement too early and that he's ready to play in Green Bay this season, though his relationship with Packers management has become fractured.
Speaking with Greta Van Susteren on FOX News, Favre said that when Packers head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson approached him about retirement in the offseason, the surefire Hall of Famer told them he'd prefer to wait until training camp in July to make his decision. "It'd be nice if I could wait until training camp," Favre said. However, Favre said that the Packers cited a need to know their position moving forward, specifically with Favre's backup, Aaron Rodgers, and wanted him to decide before the free agency period and the draft. "I was not totally ready to commit," Favre said of his feelings on March 3, when he announced his retirement in a tear-filled press conference. "March 3, when I got in front of the podium, did I want to play? Yes. 100 percent? No. "I sort of left the door open, but they wanted an answer. Am I mad at them for that? No. But, they wanted an answer." Favre also said he was "guilty of retiring early," and was intent on making a comeback and physically ready to play in the upcoming season. However, he was told by McCarthy in a conversation on June 20 that returning to the Packers was not an option. "I was told that playing in Green Bay was not an option, and that's from up there," Favre said. "Either welcome me back, release me, or attempt to trade me," Favre said. "They told me, 'playing here is not an option, but we can't envision you playing with anyone else, either.'" However, Favre also said that he was not interested in returning to back up Rodgers. "They want to protect my legacy by bringing me back and having me be a backup?" he said.
Source: David White, San Francisco Chronicle
Despite the Detroit Lions coming to terms with 2nd overall pick WR Calvin Johnson, the Oakland Raiders are no closer to a deal with their number 1 overall pick, quarterback JaMarcus Russell, then they were before camp started. If one side concedes significant ground this weekend, a deal could be done quickly enough to get Russell in practice as soon as Monday. Raiders HC Lane Kiffin, for one, isn't sure Johnson's deal will have an immediate impact on the Russell talks. "Sometimes it does," Kiffin said after a morning practice Friday. "If he signs for a lot, then it works for one side. If he doesn't, it works for the other side. That does somewhat have to do with it, but it's just another contract being posted."
Source: Matthew Barrows, Sacramento Bee
San Francisco 49ers starting QB Alex Smith says he wants to be an even more dangerous rusher in 2007. He ran for only 147 yards last year but put up 631 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in his final season at Utah. "You look at what Steve Young did when he was here," Smith said. "There were two or three times in a game when he was able to take off and run. Those were big plays."
And although Michael Vick-like numbers are unrealistic in the 49ers' offense, the idea is to keep defenses on their heels by breaking off a long run here and there. "That's what it's all about," new offensive coordinator Jim Hostler said. "Five or six times a game, he's going to have to come alive with his feet. He's going to have to come out of the pocket and make a play running or by finding a receiver downfield after a scramble. And that's five or six (times) guaranteed. "Last year, it was one or two here and there." The question then is: When the pocket is breaking down and Smith buys himself an extra second, does he look for an open receiver like he did against the Rams, or does he take off and run like Young did so well when he was the 49ers' quarterback? Said Hostler with a wide grin on his face: "I don't know. That's why we pay him all that money."
Source: Dan Bickley, Arizona Republic
Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James is so enthused by the new coaching regime, he promised to carry the ball a little more during the preseason. New HC Ken Whisenhunt and Assistant HC Russ Grim have committed to running the football and have promised to get James 300 carries this season. James, who notoriously hates the preseason said, "If (Whisenhunt) wants me to go out there and get five, six carries, I'm not going to say no. If they want me to do it just to save face, so there's no complaining, I'll do it."
Source: Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
Denver Broncos new RB Travis Henry doesn't want to just embrace the idea of being the guy. He wants to grab it and lug it as many times as Shanahan lets him. "Me, personally, I'm from the old school," Henry said. "From watching Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, all those guys, it was one back. That's it. One guy got the ball. It's good to have the backup in case something goes wrong, but as far as rotating during the game, that takes away from a premier back trying to get in a rhythm. So, a two-back rotation? I guess I don't see it."
